Wolfram Alderson

Current

Executive Director at Collective Roots

Past

Deputy Director at Neighborhood Parks Council / Urban Resource Systems
Regional Director at InnVision the Way Home
Director of Operations/Regional Director at Unity Care

Director / Member of the Board / Advisor at Xela Aid
Program Director at Lamp Community--Skid Row Collaborative
Assistant Director at The Sycamores
Coordinator at Casa Colina Hospital
Senior Horticulturist & Resident Artist at Land Lab, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Vocational Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Arts Unit Coordinator at National Institute of Mental Health / Cuban Resettlement Program
Administrator at Senior Health and Peer Counseling Center
Food Self Reliance Coordinator at Interfaith Hunger Coalition

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Education

University of San Francisco
Azusa Pacific University

Recommended

37 people have recommended Wolfram

Connections

476 connections

Industry

Non-Profit Organization Management

Websites

Wolfram Alderson’s Summary

“Wolfram is a visionary, a developer and administrator of innovative programs. He works tirelessly to develop teams and bring visions to life.” --Dr. Gurucharan Khalsa, Clinical Psychologist & Former Supervisor

Wolfram Alderson offers:
• Thirty years serving in key leadership roles involving design, development, and administration of innovative social service, social justice, education, and environmental programs.
• Exceptional program management skills to design, develop, and lead programs and services.
• Highly successful team and community builder; proven leader of strategic partnering and change initiatives.
• Extensive experience and education in organizational leadership and development, systems change, public relations, training & education, fund-raising, quality assurance, and fiscal management of complex programs. This includes knowledge management, information technology, supervising and coaching teams of skilled and dedicated staff, and ensuring that services delivered are of the highest quality.
• Demonstrated expertise in working with a wide range of populations, including youth, homeless, seniors, inner city poor, and people with severe mental & physical disabilities.
• Achieved multidisciplinary integration of community and environmental programs, including exemplary service record in leading projects that bring together myriad elements such as mental health, environmental restoration, urban renewal, therapy and rehabilitation, expressive arts, innovative educational programs, and cross cultural exchange.
•Superb record of integrating fiscal and program operations with strategic planning and development, strengthening their inter-relationships and assuring compliance of programs and staff with organizational mission, objectives, and procedures.

Wolfram Alderson’s Specialties:

Environmental Stewardship & Urban Renewal, Food System Change, Housing & Homeless Services, Organizational Development & Leadership, Vocational Rehabilitation, Fiscal Management & Fund Raising, Mental & Physical Health, Board Development, Expressive Arts Therapy, Public Relations & Marketing, Team & Community Building, Horticulture Therapy & Garden Based Learning, Strategic Planning, Cross Cultural Exchange, Program Development & Evaluation, Social Justice, and Innovative Educational Strategies.

Wolfram Alderson’s Experience

Executive Director

Collective Roots

(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

2007 — Present (2 years )

The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Collective Roots, a non-profit focused on educating and engaging youth and communities in food system change through sustainable programs that impact health, education, and the environment. The Executive Director is responsible for supporting the innovative integration and implementation of three program areas: garden-based education, food systems change, and environmental action. Accountable to the Collective Roots Board of Directors and for developing collaborative relationships with partner schools and community organizations. Responsible for developing the organization's programs, fundraising (doubling the operating budget), and supporting Collective Roots talented and dedicated staff. Responsible for the development of a food system change initiative in the under served community of East Palo Alto. Successful experience managing and growing a small local organization into a force (top and bottom line) that is regionally well positioned and respected as an agent of positive change. Proven ability to attract, retain and develop collaborative partners as well as driving organizational change leading to a complete transformation of the organization at the leadership, infrastructure, and program levels.
Deputy Director

Neighborhood Parks Council / Urban Resource Systems

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Environmental Services industry)

October 2006 — July 2007 (10 months)

Responsibilities included promoting the Vision and Mission of NPC, a nationally renowned organization, based in San Francisco, dedicated to preserving, developing, and sustaining neighborhood assets and green open space. Serving as a key member of the executive leadership team. Responsible for organizational development, administration and operations, program development, funding and revenue development, communications and marketing, IT and MIS systems, and implementation of strategic change initiatives. Supported the dedicated and talented NPC staff and the leadership of Dr. Isabel Wade, Executive (Founding) Director.
Regional Director

InnVision the Way Home

(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Individual & Family Services industry)

July 2005 — July 2006 (1 year 1 month)

•Responsible for the leadership, planning and management of InnVision programs, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing programs.
•Responsible for key agency wide operations, leading organizational change, and promoting the InnVision Vision, Mission, and Culture. Supported over 110 employees, provided leadership as a member of the senior management team.
•Represented agency management in business interactions, including government and community meetings and collaborative efforts. Provided leadership for community development, coordination of program services, personnel, and policies and procedures.
•Provided leadership for the management of fiscal operations, major assets, and funding initiatives ($11 million budget).
•Leader of technology initiatives and development of management information systems. Development of quality assurance and performance evaluation systems. Trained, directed, and reported on best practices.
Director of Operations/Regional Director

Unity Care

(Individual & Family Services industry)

2005 — 2005 (less than a year)

• Responsible for agency wide operations, policies, procedures, and other key initiatives. Provided executive leadership, planning, and management. Reported directly to CEO.
• Executive role responsible for leading organizational change, training and supervision of 180 employees (7 department/division Directors reporting directly), development of existing as well as new programs and services, establishment of a non-public school for special education youth, program design for serving homeless foster youth, marketing and advancement, and cultivation of strategic relationships in public and private sectors.
• Assisted CEO and CFO in management of fiscal operations and assets, funding initiatives, and management of revenue and expense for all programs and operations.
• Leader of technology initiatives and management information systems.
• Development of quality assurance systems. Trained, directed, and reported on best practices, program development, and achievement of outcomes.
Director / Member of the Board / Advisor

Xela Aid

(Individual & Family Services industry)

1995 — 2005 (10 years )

Director and Member of the Board of an all volunteer organization; responsible for Community, Environmental, Construction Projects, & Midwifery Projects:
•Provided executive leadership to the organization in all aspects, including extensive fundraising and events. Lead teams of international volunteers to do development projects in Guatemala.
•Established international partnerships with the President of Guatemala as well as other local officials.
•Developed and maintained student internship/field studies project. Acquired land for and designed and supervised construction of a school, weaving cooperative, and a full scale health care center. Served as documentarian & photographer.
While no longer serving on the Board, I remain an advisor to the organization.
Program Director

Lamp Community--Skid Row Collaborative

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Individual & Family Services industry)

2003 — 2004 (1 year )

• Created & lead million dollar, multi-agency collaborative program for the chronic homeless & mentally ill.
• Principle leadership role involved formation and supervision of a multi-disciplinary staff of 12.
• Achieved key outcomes of challenging project including housing and providing care for 62 chronically homeless individuals with multiple occurring diagnoses, including severe mental illness and substance abuse.
• Established collaborations with local public and private agencies as well as partnerships with U.S. government agencies (e.g., SAMHSA, HHS-HRSA, VA, and HUD).
Assistant Director

The Sycamores

(Individual & Family Services industry)

2000 — 2003 (3 years )

• Designed and implemented a multi-million-dollar day treatment program for abused, neglected, and severely emotionally disturbed children receiving the highest level of residential treatment.
• Developed and supervised up to 30 staff positions, including licensed clinicians and adjunctive therapists.
• Designed and developed dynamic range of therapeutic activities and groups. Developed facilities to include new art studio, ceramic kiln, recording studio, theater, and therapeutic gardens.
• Served as public relations liaison to external agencies, including licensing and accreditation agencies. Provided technical assistance and mentorship to agencies with similar missions and facilitate the development of partnerships with local organizations and funding institutions.
• Responsible for writing grants and maintaining relationships with donors and foundations. Prepared budgets and fundraising-related reports. Raised over $100,000.
Coordinator

Casa Colina Hospital

(Individual & Family Services industry)

1991 — 2000 (9 years )

• Developed and managed one of the largest horticulture therapy and training programs in the U.S., recognized as a model program providing vocational training and employment opportunities for hundreds of people with physical and mental disabilities. Developed & managed up to 90 employees engaged in diverse horticultural & environmental activities.
• Designed curricula that included nursery production, land-scape services, and commercial scale community and environmental horticulture projects.
• Successfully marketed the program, secured funding, and developed strategic alliances in the public and private sectors. Served as liaison to numerous public and private service agencies.
• Designed, installed, & maintained multiple demonstration & training sites including a 5-acre vocational training site, “Casa Colina Farms,” restoration of agricultural wastelands at Land Lab Center, Cal Poly Pomona; & renovation of the 1.7-acre L.A. County Arboretum herb garden.
Senior Horticulturist & Resident Artist

Land Lab, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

(Educational Institution; 51-200 employees; Fund-Raising industry)

January 1995 — October 1997 (2 years 10 months)

Adjunct to work with Casa Colina Hospital, I served as the Senior Horticulturist and Resident Artist for Land Lab, at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. In role as Senior Horticulturist, worked on two key collaborative projects. Responsible for the habitat regeneration of approximately twenty acres surrounding the Land Lab Visitors Center, and also for developing a large scale Compost Demonstration and Garden Site on 10 acres of marginal university agricultural land. The projects utilized the talents and resources of clients with significant developmental and physical disabilities, providing employment and publicity that shaped public opinion about the potential for people with disabilities to engage in high demand / high profile environmental projects. Both multi-disciplinary projects gained widespread recognition as model environmental projects. Role as Resident Artist involved developing art projects for installation on the Land Lab site.
Vocational Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Arts Unit Coordinator

National Institute of Mental Health / Cuban Resettlement Program

(Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Individual & Family Services industry)

June 1985 — June 1991 (6 years 1 month)

•Developed multidisciplinary bilingual vocational rehabilitation program for “Marielito” Cuban refugees with multiple occurring diagnoses including mental illness, chronic substance abuse, & developmental disabilities. Provided culturally sensitive residential treatment that provided therapeutic mental health services, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational skill development, and other educational components. Designed and implemented several large therapy garden sites up to 2 acres in size. Established therapeutic facilities, service learning, and enclave employment projects, preparing the clients for integration into the workforce.
•Supervised team of mental health/psychosocial rehabilitation staff serving up to 40 clients. Responsible for budgeting, reporting, and public relations.
Administrator

Senior Health and Peer Counseling Center

(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Health, Wellness and Fitness industry)

October 1982 — October 1984 (2 years 1 month)

•Coordinated relationships with external agencies, major events, public relations, fundraising, volunteer re-cruitment, and office systems and personnel. Reported directly to the Executive Director
•Organized major fundraising and social events, and community education, including response to publicity generated on 60 Minutes, 20-20, and the Phil Donahue shows.
•Conducted computer needs assessment & developed grants to acquire the agency’s first computer systems. Implemented systems & coordinated the design of agency’s first database for mass mailings & fundraising.
•Wrote and designed publications, including the annual report.
Food Self Reliance Coordinator

Interfaith Hunger Coalition

(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Individual & Family Services industry)

1979 — 1982 (3 years )

• Responsible for creating and coordinating a diverse team that focused on reducing hunger and promoting food self-reliance in the inner city. Established cooperative relationships with more than 150 community organizations, churches, and local government entities.
• Developed and managed the first seven successful Certified Farmers’ Markets in Los Angeles County. Developed & supervised a diverse team of market organizers & managers to create additional markets in low-income communities of Los Angeles.
• Directed the land access, development, and management of multiple urban agriculture demonstration sites, totaling 22 acres of small-scale agricultural production. Acquired zoning variances, permits, and licenses. Organized the first urban agriculture conference in L.A., working in collaboration with the Trust for Public Land.
• Conducted publicity campaigns that resulted in front-page features in the L.A. Times, major newspapers, and repeated coverage in major broadcast media.

Wolfram Alderson’s Education

University of San Francisco

M.S. , Organization Development , 2006 — 2008

Targeting business and organizational strategies, structures, culture, processes, and interpersonal relations, Organization Development is the planned process of change for enhanced organizational effectiveness. The Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) program educates business-organization professionals who achieve master's-level competence in organizational change, preparing them to assume leadership roles in the transformation of their organizations.

Activities and Societies:

Masters work culminated in development of a case study examining the relationship between information technology and organization development, providing recommendations for strategic planning and fund development.
Azusa Pacific University

B.S. , Organizational Leadership , 2002 — 2004

GPA: 4.0 while working full time; awarded most outstanding student of the class. The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership (BSOL) Program is for working professionals who want to develop the skills needed to be agents of change. A distinctive element of this program is "reality-based learning," or the process of integrating textbook theory with work and life experience.

Additional Information

Wolfram Alderson’s Websites:

Wolfram Alderson’s Interests:

I enjoy mountain running, cycling, and watercolors. Parallel to my social service career, I am a multimedia artist, working in traditional, digital, and environmental mediums.

Wolfram Alderson’s Groups:

Member of the Board of Directors / Community Technology Network - Bay Area
Volunteer / Therapeutic Arts & Horticulture: Providing activities in children's treatment facilities.
Volunteer / Founder / Unity Network: Post 911 cross cultural & interfaith unity work.
Volunteer / Founder / Director: Claremont Community Farmer’s Market.
Volunteer / Homeless Outreach and Services, San Francisco and Santa Clara Counties, including SF Homeless Connect and serving on the SF Homeless Coordinating Board Committee on Policy and Legislation. Supported the development of http://sfhomeless.wikia.com/wiki/San_Francisco_Homeless_Resource.